Catholic Techie Kevin Knight

You may not have heard of Kevin Knight by name, but I have no doubt that you have, at some point, come across the work he’s done.

His contribution to the world of Catholic Tech is unparelleled: it’s a Catholic news aggregator, the complete Catholic Encyclopedia, the Summa Theologica, a Greek/English/Latin Bible, the Church Fathers collection, and (pause for a big breath) TONS of other Church documents.

Yes, that’s right: Kevin Knight is the genius behind New Advent. It turns out he’s also hard not to love when you interview him. (What can I say? I’m a fellow fan of Oreos and I use the heck outta his site.)

Tell us about yourself in five words or less.

Catholic, husband, father, Oreo fan

Of your pursuits, what’s your favorite?

Polishing the online version of the Summa Theologica. It amazes me how smoothly it translates to the Internet. It’s huge, concise, modular, and richly interlinked — almost as if St. Thomas Aquinas had the Web in mind when he wrote it 700 years ago. It’s also fun to soak in his wisdom and teaching as I work.

When you think of the New Evangelization from your approach as a “Catholic Techie,” what excites you? What makes you want to continue?

I’m excited by the conviction that the digital revolution is so obviously God’s Providence at work. There are so many amazing techie disciples working together in this field, and their work will have a profound impact on the Church in the next 100 years. I’m so happy that I was around to see its birth.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?

It allows me to have a certain medieval, pre-industrial revolution rhythm to my life. I get to work on my craft at home, with my wife at home, with the kids home schooled.

In your spare time, what are we likely to find you doing? Do you have a gadget in hand or do you go native and screenless?

I’m seldom far from my iPhone, but other than that, I prefer books. And cars. I like to take spontaneous, random, pointless road trips as often as possible.

4 Comments

It’s great to see and meet the man behind the mirror! Both my husband and I use New Advent’s resources regularly. Thank you for the work you do.

And, I have to chuckle at your “medieval” lifestyle – we live like that, too. For the past two years my husband has worked from home, and now that he’s returning to work, he’s looking for ways to continue to stay at home. Not only does he enjoy it, but I enjoy having additional help and sanity breaks throughout the day.

I’ve often used the site for research since I discovered it some years ago. (Before the Encyclopedia was finished.) I recommend it and its Bible often to those I encounter online- and I’m not a Catholic! My regards to Kevin.

I check New Advent at least ten times throughout the day and have been introduced to so many Catholic writers via that website. I recommend it to everyone. And the encyclopedia is amazing. Nice to see this write-up about Kevin Knight. What a guy!